While many dentists consider dental implants to be a staple of effective tooth replacement services, these restoration options are still relatively unheard of for most patients. If you’re missing one or more teeth, versatile dental implant supported tooth replacement plans may be just what you need. Dental implants are positioned below the gums to replace missing tooth roots and support replacement teeth. For a single lost tooth, this is relatively straightforward. An implant post is placed, and a replacement tooth is fixed to the top of the implant. When it comes to more complex tooth replacement plans, patients have questions. What happens if I have more than one missing tooth? Do I need a dental implant and dental crown for every lost tooth? In this post, we’ll discuss some of the basics of dental implant tooth replacement for patients missing multiple teeth.
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What Happens if I Need More Than one Dental Implant?
February 7, 2018
Choosing Cosmetic Bonding or Porcelain Veneers Norman, OK Loves
October 6, 2015
No matter how well we care for our teeth, natural wear and tear leaves its mark over time. The foods and drinks we consume daily, chewing and grinding teeth, and decreased bone density due to aging all contribute to minor cosmetic flaws like chips, cracks, and stains. When it comes to correcting smile irregularities, patients have numerous cosmetic and restorative dentistry options. Two of the most popular corrective solutions are cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers. However, many patients are unsure which option is right for their smile, and Dr. Bobby J. Carmen and his Norman, OK dental team help patients fully understand their options, and make a decision that leave them with beautiful smiles for years to come.
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When to Ditch an Over-the-counter Mouthguard (and Why)
September 24, 2015
Are you a nighttime tooth grinder? If so, it’s a condition we also call bruxism, and its side effects are serious. Many times, adults try to self-treat nighttime conditions like bruxism — and sleep apnea, which occurs when the soft tissues of the mouth block the airway — with over-the-counter solutions, like one-size-fits-all mouth trays, snoring prevention or boil and bite mouthguards. These can provide an acceptable solution for a short period of time, but if you’ve got a real problem, you need a real, professional solution. Read more to learn about professional mouthguards from your dentist in Norman.
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Cosmetic Gum Lift: Transform Your Smile with Dr. Bobby J. Carmen
July 10, 2014
When you look at your smile in the mirror, do you like what you see? Do you feel confident in the appearance of your teeth and gums, as well as the way your smile impacts your overall appearance? For some patients, excessive gum tissue can make teeth appear short and stubby, negatively affecting the symmetry and balance of their smile. At Bobby J. Carmen, DDS in Norman, OK, Dr. Carmen and his team help patients with all kinds of cosmetic woes finally achieve the confident, gorgeous smiles they’ve always dreamed of. One of the ways we do this is with a procedure called a cosmetic gum lift.
Can a Cosmetic Gum Lift Help Me?
Many people who think that their teeth look too short (or that their smile is filled with too much gum in general) believe the problem to reside with the actual length of their teeth. Fortunately, this is not typically the case. The teeth are merely covered by too much gum tissue, hiding the healthy crowns of the teeth beneath. Using only the most advanced soft tissue laser technology, Dr. Carmen can effectively and carefully remove this excess gum tissue, revealing more of the tooth in a way that is completely safe. After a brief period of healing, you’ll see a completely transformed new smile emerge.
In order to determine if a cosmetic gum lift procedure is the right choice for you, Dr. Carmen will first assess the health and status of your gum tissue and teeth. If you are a good candidate for this solution, we will formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to your individual needs. You’ll love your results, finally feeling fantastic about the way your teeth and smile look.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’d like to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry treatments can help you enjoy a bold, confident smile you’ll truly be proud to show off to the world, Dr. Carmen is here to help. Contact our office in Norman, OK today to schedule your appointment with our caring, experienced team. Our family-friendly, state-of-the-art practice also happily serves patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Del City, the University of Oklahoma, Midwest City, Central Oklahoma, Moore, and beyond.
Tooth-Colored Fillings—A Cosmetic Twist on Restorative Dentistry
March 30, 2012
When you hear your dentist mention fillings, do you immediately think of grayish-black amalgam fillings?
Some offices may still use amalgam fillings to treat decay, but not Dr. Carmen’s Norman dental office. Here, we use tooth-colored fillings to restore smiles and change lives. You might think of them as a cosmetic twist on an important restorative dentistry service.
The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings, also known as composite fillings, aren’t made of metals, the way that amalgams are. That means that, unlike amalgams, they won’t change shape over time or become brittle and crack, allowing for bacterial reinvasion. Instead, they’ll remain strong and supportive for years to come, preserving your natural tooth structure in the process.
And what’s more, tooth-colored fillings can be shaded to exactly match the color of your teeth. Instead of standing out and causing you to feel self-conscious about your smile, they’ll blend right now. No one but you and Dr. Carmen will ever have to know you have them.
Do you need fillings? Don’t put off treatment any longer. Call Dr. Carmen’s Norman dental office today to schedule an appointment with us. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about tooth-colored fillings or any of our other services. Get in touch with us today. We serve patients from The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.
Get the New Year Started with a Visit to Dr. Carmen’s Norman Office
January 6, 2012
We’re about a full week into 2012, but many people are still thinking about New Year’s resolutions. If you’re one of them, consider making a New Year’s smile resolution.
What might a New Year’s smile resolution involve?
First, take a close look at your daily brushing and flossing regimen. Keeping your smile healthy means brushing twice a day, flossing at least once, and gargling with an anti-bacterial mouthwash at least once.
But beyond regular brushing and flossing, an important part of New Year’s smile resolution involves coming into Dr. Carmen’s Norman dental office for regular visits. When you come in for your January visit (or any other visit), Dr. Carmen will inspect your smile for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, TMJ dysfunction, bruxism, and oral cancer.
This kind of comprehensive approach to dentistry lets Dr. Carmen provide preventive care that is more comfortable and conservative, benefiting the patient in every way.
As more and more studies are showing, a direct link exists between a patient’s overall health and the health of his or her smile. In particular, poor gum health has been shown to share a connection with diabetic complications, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, premature birth, and heart disease.
To schedule your first visit of the year with Dr. Carmen, call our Norman office today. We serve patients from The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and surrounding areas.
You Can Make Your Child’s Halloween Cavity-Free with Xylitol Candy
October 21, 2011
Halloween’s just a little over a week away now, and if you have little ones, you know how much they’re looking forward to the big day. You, on the other hand, just wish there was a way you could get them through the night without ruining their teeth.
Well, there is.
With xylitol candy, you can help your child stay cavity-free without dampening their trick-or-treat spirit.
The Benefits of Xylitol
Xylitol comes from the fibers of fruits and vegetables. It’s low in calories, low in carbohydrates, and has been used as for years as a sweetener, especially in sweets for diabetics. But its biggest benefit is in the way it interacts with teeth.
Unlike traditional sugar, which gives bacteria energy to feed on by breaking down, xylitol doesn’t break down. It also promotes a healthy pH level in the mouth and makes it more difficult for bacteria to stick to teeth, meaning that it actually protects smiles from cavities.
But where can you find xylitol candy?
Some online options include xlear.com, zappgum.com, and Amazon, but with a little research you may be able to find just what you’re looking for at your nearest health foods store.
Want to know more about xylitol candy, or how you can help your child have a cavity-free Halloween? Visit xylitol.org or give Dr. Carmen’s Norman office a call today. We serve patients from the University of Oklahoma, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and beyond.
A Back-To-School Appointment with Dr. Carmen
August 4, 2011
Now that August is here, the first day of school isn’t far behind. So, with that in mind, why not call our Norman office and schedule an appointment for your son or daughter with Dr. Carmen.
With a thorough oral exam and cleaning from our office, Dr. Carmen can help protect young smiles from plaque and bacteria, the primary ingredients of tooth decay and gum disease.
Why Are Regular Visits So Important?
Regular visits, which include back-to-school visits, are important for more than just protecting a smile from cavities.
What a lot of patients don’t know is that their oral health can actually impact their overall health. The impact may not be immediate, but over time, the same bacteria and plaque responsible for gum disease and tooth decay can increase a patient’s risk of developing a wide range of health problems, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, stroke, and even pre-term birth.
That’s why another term for general dentistry is preventive dentistry. Regular cleanings plus daily brushing and flossing helps your entire body stay strong, in addition to protecting your smile from gum disease and tooth decay.
To schedule an appointment for yourself or your child, give us a call today. Our Norman office serves patients from The University of Oklahoma, Moore, Central Oklahoma, and surrounding areas.